Archive for the ‘Sunday Sermons’ Category

Well, I’ve been gone for a few days from blogland. Not that I haven’t been visiting some of my most favorite blogs and even left some comments, but I’ve not been here. I did not post a SMART habit Saturday post this week because I was busy Saturday. Friday night was an all girls sleepover at my aunt’s house. Me, my daughter, my mom, my aunt, two cousins and one of my cousins daughters. We had a good time. The little girls stayed up past midnight and the floodgates were opened when they got really tired. But, they really did have a good time. I got a chance to talk to my cousin about some spiritual issues in my life and she offered some encouraging words and is letting me borrow some books for guidance! It was a great soul filler! 🙂

Hubby took my daughter to play golf on Saturday when we came home and it was just me and the baby for the rest of the afternoon. We played and rested and had some quality time. It was a good day.

Sunday after Church my husband went to meet with a man about a new job. He has been talking to this man for several months. Well, they finally made a decision and my husband accepted the offer. It is really scarey for him to be changing positions. We have been praying a lot about it and now we just have to have faith that we made the right decision.

This has opened up a whole new thing for my husband and I. See, we haven’t been on the same spiritual page for quite some time and it has been really hard for me. I prayed for guidance and for something to change this in order to open up the lines of communication. Well, this is just what I was hoping praying for. The new company is a company with Christian employees, many of which attend the same church that we do. The have prayer meetings once a week and they thrive on team work. I could just go on and on, but to make a long story short I won’t. The point is that this man prayed with my husband at their meeting and my husband really felt it. He said it felt like someone lay a warm blanket around his shoulders while they were praying. We’ve now begun to talk more about our spirituality and where we want to go with it. And, he even asked me to pray for him yesterday before he left for work because he was dreading calling his boss to let her know!

This truly was an answered prayer.

I wish I could write eloquently how this is changing our lives, but I’m not the best with the written word. I just wanted you to know why I’ve not been around.

Sunday’s sermon really spoke to me too. We finished a two-week series about work. And, that goes for those of us who “work” at home. Not for a paycheck, but for our families. This past week was about how bosses should treat their employees and how whatever it is we do we should do it with excitement and enthusiasm. Not for our boss here on earth but for our boss in heaven. He doesn’t care what we do, but how we do it and why! So, I got to thinking about how much time I’ve been spending on the computer and how little time I’m spending connecting with my children. Not to mention that I’m struggling with teaching them discipline ~ doing what you need to do even when you don’t feel like it ~ when I can’t seem to discipline myself. So, if I’m not around as much as before than you know why. I’m not taking a break from blogging, but I’m taking more time for my family!

To sum it up…we’ve had a very enlightening weekend! Please pray for us as we head into a new part of our journey!

Sunday’s sermon touched me hard. I have been reeling it around in my head from the moment we stepped out the church doors. We are currently in week 9 of an eleven week study of Colossians. This study is entitled The Amazing Walk: A Life Worth Living. I want to first give you an outline, of sorts, to take you through what we’ve learned about thus far.

The first week was a study of Colossians 1:1-14. Here we discussed the participants – Believers with great potential facing real problems. And, what makes a good start – It begins with the right response to the gospel. And, the prerequisites – A working knowledge of God’s will. And, a portrait of what the walk should look like – A productive walk. A growing walk. A steady walk. A grateful walk. One of the most memorable quotes of the day for me was: “A sign of God’s mighty power is your patient reaction to things not pleasing.”

The second week was a study of Colossians 1:15-23 and was entitled Getting our “Head” on Straight. We were discussing who God is & is it worth it? This is what we were taught. He is the eternal God. He is the creator and sustainer of ALL things. He is the head of the Church. He is the Savior of the world and US. The quote that stuck with me the most that week was: “Peace is now available through HIM.”

The third week was a study of Colossians 1:24-29 and was entitled Is it “In” You? This week our pastor posed three important & powerful questions: Is Christ in you? Is Passion in you? Is Power in you? My most memorable quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The fourth week was a study of Colossians 2:1-7 entitled Walk On, Walk On. We learned about what we need from others: Someone who really cares. Someone who knows Christ. Someone who is supportive. We also learned what we need from ourselves: Maintain a goal of progress. Get a firm grip of the Gospel. Develop a plan for growth. Cultivate a grateful attitude. This sermon left me feeling hopeful knowing that I don’t need to strive to be perfect in God’s eyes but striving to make progress will be enough.

The fifth week was a study of Colossians 2:8-15 entitled Enough, Already! What we learned this week was that when faced with unrest from whom will we seek answers? “According to” whom? Men, the world, or Christ. And the winner is? Christ because He is God. Christ because we are complete with him. And, things that are true of believers: Life, Forgiveness, & Victory. What stuck with me this week? Spiritual growth is not addition to but nutrition of, you don’t need more, you have more than enough already!

The sixth week was a study of Colossians 2:7 entitled Overflowing with Gratitude. The pastor told us of three gifts we are given when we come to faith in Christ: A New Life! A New Power! A New Community! What stuck with me this week? We are rescued from the dominion of darkness. He empowers us. And, we are all united in love!

The seventh week was a study of Colossians 2:16-23 entitled No Rules, Just Christ. We learned about Taking a Stand: Let no one judge – legalism. Let no one rob you – mysticism. Let no one bind you – asceticism. And what is at stake: Shadow or substance. Experience or truth. Rigors or results. What stuck with me this week? Four warning signs that you need to take a stand against in order to protect the freedom God died for. Things that are – harsh in spirit, subjective in judgement, foolish in content, & harmful in results.

The eighth week was a study of Colossians 3:1-4 entitled Mind Your Head! We learned it’s all about: the direction we are facing and the thoughts we are thinking. And it’s all because: our life is connected to Christ – our past, present, & future! What stuck with me this week? That my future is certain because of what was done for me in the past.

Okay, so I know this is a really lengthy post and if you are still with me…Thank you! This is the part of the post where I tell you what we studied this week that hit me soooo hard!

This week we studied Colossians 3:5-11 entitled Making It Work. We discussed Dealing with Dissatisfaction: The lust for sex and the lure of things. Dissatisfaction being through immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. Everyone, I think, can relate and discuss these things. And, Healing the Hostility: The attitude of the Heart and the use of the Tongue. Hostility through anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, and lying. Here is where it is tough to discuss these things we all experience. And, the Motive and the Means:the attitude of God, the change of our nature, & the person of Christ. So, now you ask, well why did it hit you so hard? Well, there is really a simple answer to that. Hostility comes from the heart and those things listed reveal a sick heart. I have a sick heart and I want it to be healed. I don’t want to be angry. I don’t want to carry wrath or malice in my heart. I don’t want to use slander, abusive speech or lie. I don’t want to have these attitudes in my heart yet I do. Not always, but they are there. I cried off and on Sunday and I keep hearing the words spoken in the sermon. And, I am humbled!

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6-7